EP0055070A1

EP0055070A1 - Antibiotic A-4696 factors B1,B2,B3,C1a,C3 and E1

Info

Publication number: EP0055070A1
Application number: EP81305898A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Manuel Debono; Kurt Edgar Merkel; Robert Edgar Weeks; Herald James Cole
Original assignee: Eli Lilly and Co
Current assignee: Eli Lilly and Co
Priority date: 1980-12-18
Filing date: 1981-12-16
Publication date: 1982-06-30
Also published as: ATE23192T1; YU292881A; DD204389A5; FI813958L; RO82520A; IE51883B1; AU547906B2; ES8304203A1; AR228377A1; IE812971L; PT74137A; KR850001503B1; AU7859881A; PL134197B1; KR830007832A; PL234311A1; ZA818632B; DE3175527D1; NZ199197A; JPS57132888A

Abstract

Antibiotic A-4696 factors B₁, B₂, B₃, C_1a, C₃, and E₁ are isolated from antibiotic A-4696, the latter being produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis strains ATCC 31680, ATCC 31682, or ATC 31683 under submerged aerobic conditions in a culture medium and isolated from the fermentation broth by absorption on an ion exchange resin and eluted therefrom at p^H 10.5 with sodium hydroxide. The novel factors are separated by thin layer chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography and have antimicrobial and growth promotant activity.

Description

This invention concerns novel factors B₁, B₂, ^B _3' C_1a, ^C ₃ and E₁ of actaplanin antibiotic A-4696. They are effective antibacterial and antimicrobial agents as well as growth promotant agents in poultry, swine, sheep and beef cattle.
The present invention is related generally to the inventions disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,952,095 issued April 20, 1976, for novel antibiotic and a process for the production thereof, U.S. Patent No. 4,064,233 issued December 20, 1977, for antibiotic A-4696, and U.S. Patent 4,115,552 issued September 19, 1978, for factor A and B of antibiotic A-4696.
Factor B of antibiotic A-4696, described in U.S. Patent 4,064,233 and U.S. Patent 4,115,552, is not the same as any of the factors claimed in the present application. Furthermore, none of the present antibiotic A-4696 factors were known, appreciated, or even suspected prior to the present invention.
It has now been discovered that the novel _actap_lanin antibiotic A_-4696 factors B₁, B₂, _B3' ^Cl^a' C₃ and E_l, as described herein below, are effective antibacterial and antimicrobial agents. These factors accelerate the growth rate in animals and increase feed efficiency in poultry, swine, sheep and beef cattle.
The antibiotic A-4696 factors B₁, B_2' B₃, C_1a, C₃ and E₁ are isolated from the A-4696 complex which is produced by culturing a microorganism Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31680, ATCC 31682 or ATCC 31683 in a culture medium containing assimilable sources of carbohydrate, nitrogen and inorganic salts under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions until a substantial amount of antibiotic activity is produced.
The method for increasing the feed utilization efficiency in ruminant animals is accomplished by administering to the ruminant animals a growth promotant amount of the antibiotic A-4696 complex or the A-4696 factors B₁, B₂, B_3' C_la' C₃ and/or E₁ or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof in the form of a feed, feed premix or feed supplement.
The method for promoting the growth of chickens comprises administering to the chickens either in their diet or drinking water a growth promotant amount of the antibiotic A-4696 complex or the novel factors B₁, B₂, B_3' C_1a, C₃ and/or E₁, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
The present invention relates to novel factors B₁, B₂, B₃, C_1a, C₃, and E_l, of actaplanin antibiotic A-4696. In accordance with the present invention novel factors of antibiotic A-4696 are isolated from antibiotic A-4696, the latter being produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the genus Actinoplanes in a nutrient medium until substantial antibacterial activity is detected in the culture medium.
- High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) reveals that the antibiotic A-4696 complex as disclosed in related applications listed herein above, comprises several heretofore unknown factors designated as B₁, ^B ₂r ^B _3' C_1a, and C₃. An additional factor, designated as E₁, can also be isolated from the antibiotic A-4696 complex and may represent a degradation product. The chemical, physical, and biological properties of the factors indicate that they are new antibiotics and, except possibly for factor E₁, that they are composed of the same peptide core (aglycone) and amino sugar, and varying amounts of glucose, mannose, and rhamnose. While factor E₁ is similar in most respects to the other factors, it is possible that it possesses a somewhat modified peptide core. Bioautography of aglycone formation during hydrolysis of both the A-4696 complex and the individual factors shows that within a short time a simple mixture of antimicrobially active pseudo-aglycone and aglycone is obtained. It is possible that the site of antimicrobial activity of the A-4696 complex and individual factors resides in the peptide pseudo-aglycone, with the factors being substantially differentiated by differences in their neutral sugar composition. The attached sugars may function chiefly to modulate solubility and other important pharmaco- dynamic parameters. However, the manner in which the antibiotic factors claimed herein function or are produced does not constitute a part of the invention, and applicant does not intend to be limited in any way by the postulated mode of action stated herein.
The antibiotic factors of this invention are isolated from antibiotic A-4696 which is produced by culturing the organism Actinoplanes missouriensis in an aqueous nutrient medium under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions. The antibiotic A-4696 complex is first separated from the fermentation broth and then the individual factors are isolated by liquid chromatography. Preferably the antibiotic factors of the present invention are converted to a hydrochloride or sulfate salt.
For purposes of the present application, the term 'antibiotic A-4696' is used to designate the actaplanin antibiotic complex, while the various factors isolated from the complex are designated as antibiotic A-4696 factors A, B₁, B_2' B_3' C_1a, C_3' E₁, and so forth. Antibiotic A-4696 and the individual factors isolated therefrom, are highly effective in preventing the growth of microorganisms which are pathogenic to both man and animals. In addition, the antibiotic factors of the present invention have agricultural application as growth promotants in chickens, swine, sheep, and beef cattle.
The novel antibiotic factors B₁, B_2, ^B _3' C_1a, C3, and E₁of antibiotic A-4696 are basic compounds capable of forming salts with suitable acids and are isolated from antibiotic A-4696 which is produced by culturing a microorganism belonging to the species Actinoplanes missouriensis in a nutrient medium until substantial antibacterial activity is detected in the culture medium. The characterization data presented below are for the antibiotic A-4696 factors in the form of their hydrochloride salts, although other pharmaceutically acceptable salts can also be prepared by employing methods known in the art.
Silica gel thin layer chromatography (TLC) bioautography and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) reveal that antibiotic A-4696, when subjected to the isolation procedure, yields a mixture of several components which show antibiotic activity. The components, designated as antibiotic A-4696 factors A, B₁, B₂, ^B _3' C_1a, C₃, and E₁, can be preparatively separated from antibiotic A-4696 by chromatography through a polyamide column. The chromatography fractions are monitored by UV-activity and thin layer chromatography (TLC) and identical chromatography fractions containing the pure antibiotic A-4696 factor A, B_l, B₂, ^B _3' Clay C₃, or E_l are combined and freeze dried. The identity and purity of the resulting freeze dried chromatography pools can be determined by HPLC.
Antibiotic A-4696 factor A was previously isolated and is substantially as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,115,552. Current data concerning this factor are presented only to help exemplify the separation and characterization of the other novel antibiotic A-4696 factors which constitute the subject matter of the present application.
Thin layer chromatography of antibiotic A-4696 with bio-overlay using methanol-chloroform- conc. ammonium hydroxide-sec. butanol-water (50:25: 25:25:10) as the solvent, and Bacillus subtilis as the detection organism, gives the following results:
High pressure liquid chromatography of antibiotic A-4696 at ambient temperature using 2% aqueous acetic acid/ _CH3CN (90/10) and 2% aqueous acetic acid/CH₃CN (70/30) as the solvents gives the following results:
Several additional minor factors can also be separated from antibiotic A-4696 by employing TLC and _HPLC. These factors are designated C_1b, C_2a, ^C _2b' and D and are similar in many respects to antibiotic A-4696 factors A, B₁, B₂, B_3' C_1a, C₃, and E_l. In addition there may be other as yet undetected factors in the antibiotic A-4696 complex. The minor factors have not been isolated and purified in sufficient quantity to allow for characterization.
- When either antibiotic A-4696 or the individual antibiotic A-4696 factors are hydrolyzed under mild acidic conditions (5% methanolic HC1, reflux, 70 minutes) a pseudo-aglycone is produced. The pseudo-aglycone precipitates from the hydrolysis mixture and, in the case of antibiotic A-4696 factors A, B₁, B₂, ^B _3' C_1a, and C₃, has the following structure:
In the case of antibiotic A-4696 factor E₁, it is possible but not certain that the above pseudo-aglycone may be somewhat modified.
Paper and TLC examination of the hydrolysis filtrates of the antibiotic A-4696 complex and the individual antibiotic A-4696 factors reveals that, in addition to a pseudo-aglycone core, the complex and factors each contain varying amounts of neutral sugars. The identity and molar ratios of the neutral sugars found in antibiotic A-4696 factors A, B₁, B₂, B₃, and C_1a are presented as follows:
The individual antibiotic A-4696 factors are substantially differentiated by their neutral sugar components which are attached to the pseudo-aglycone at unknown positions.
Antibiotic A-4696 factor B₁, as the hydrochloride salt, is a white crystalline compound which is soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in solvents such as ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and the like. It is stable in aqueous solution over a pH range of about 4 to about 9 at temperatures up to about 27°C.
Microanalysis of antibiotic A-4696 factor B₁ hydrochloride of antibiotic A-4696 shows the following approximate elemental composition with oxygen comprising the remainder: C 51.51; H 5.25; N 4.88; Cl 4.62. The approximate molecular weight, theoretically determined by combining the molecular weights of the pseudo-aglycone and the known attached sugars, is 1954.
The ultraviolet absorption maximum of antibiotic A-4696 factor B₁ hydrochloride in water is at 280 nm with an
of 42.8.
The infrared absorption spectrum of antibiotic A-4696 factor B₁ hydrochloride in KBr is shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. The observed distinguishable absorption maximum over the range of 4000-700 cm ¹ are as follows: 3380 broad, 2930, 1731, 1693, 1654, 1637, 1615, 1588, 1577, 1521, 1503, 1488, 1423, 1321, 1289, 1229, 1210, 1178, 1154, 1121, 1076, 1060, 1030, 1012, 982, 880, 842, 831, 810 cm^-1.
Antibiotic A-4696 factor B₂, as the hydrochloride salt, is a white crystalline compound which is soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in solvents such as ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and the like. It is stable in aqueous solution over a pH range of about 4 to about 9 at temperatures up to about 27°C.
Microanalysis of antibiotic A-4696 factor B₂ hydrochloride shows the following approximate elemental composition with oxygen comprising the remainder:

C 51.96; H 4.67; N 5.72; Cl 5.88. The approximate molecular weight, theoretically determined by combining the molecular weights of the pseudo-aglycone and the known attached sugars, is 1808.

The ultraviolet absorption maximum of antibiotic A-4696 factor B₂ hydrochloride in water is at 280 nm with an
of 44.7.
The infrared absorption spectrum of antibiotic A-4696 factor B₂ hydrochloride in KBr is shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. The observed distinguishable absorption maxima over the range of 4000-700 cm^-1 are as follows: 3409 broad, 2934, 1730, 1658, 1614, 1588, 1548, 1504, 1498, 1490, 1426, 1290, 1231, 1210, 1179, 1121, 1061, 1031, 1017, 987, 903, 884, 818 cm^-1.
Antibiotic A-4696 factor B₃, as the hydrochloride salt, is a white crystalline compound which is soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in solvents such as ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and the like. It is stable in aqueous solution over a pH range of about 4 to about 9 at temperatures up to about 27°C.
Microanalysis of antibiotic A-4696 factor B₃ hydrochloride shows the following approximate elemental composition with oxygen comprising the remainder: C 51.84; H 4.74; N 5.83; Cl 5.57. The approximate molecular weight, theoretically determined by combining the molecular weights of the pseudo-aglycone and the known attached sugars, is 1808.
The ultraviolet absorption maximum of antibiotic A-4696 factor B₃ hydrochloride in water is at 280 nm with an
of 46.3.
The infrared absorption spectrum of antibiotic A-4696 factor B₃ hydrochloride in KBr is shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings. The observed distinguishable absorption maxima over the range of 4000-700 cm^-1 are as follows: 3394 broad, 2938, 1733, 1697, 1675, 1656, 1638, 1614, 1591, 1515, 1504, 1489, 1427, 1359, 1291, 1228, 1209, 1180, 1120, 1072, 1051, 1018, 985, 903, 882, 846, 816 cm^-1.
Antibiotic A-4696 factor C_1a, as the hydrochloride salt, is a white crystalline compound which is soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in solvents such as ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and the like. It is stable in aqueous solution over a pH range of about 4 to about 9 at temperatures up to about 27°C.
Microanalysis of antibiotic A-4696 factor C_1a hydrochloride shows the following approximate elemental composition with oxygen comprising the remainder:

C 53.05; H 4.74; N 5.83; Cl 5.39. The approximate molecular weight theoretically determined by combining the molecular weight of the pseudo-aglycone and the known attached sugars, is 1792.

The ultraviolet absorption maximum of antibiotic A-4696 factor C_1a hydrochloride in water is at 279 nm with an
of 47.9.
The infrared absorption spectrum of antibiotic A-4696 factor C_1a hydrochloride in KBr is shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings. The observed distinguishable absorption maxima over the range of 4000-700 cm ¹ are as follows: 3380 broad, 2931, 1734, 1650, 1616, 1591, 1505, 1491, 1427, 1359, 1290, 1228, 1213, 1177, 1123, 1072, 1061, 1032, 1017, 987, 903, 832, 814, 715 cm^-1.
Antibiotic A-4696 factor C,, as the hydrochloride salt, is a white crystalline compound which is soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in solvents such as ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and the like. It is stable in aqueous solution over a pH range of about 4 to about 9 at temperatures up to about 27°C.
Microanalysis of antibiotic A-4696 factor C₃ hydrochloride shows the following approximate elemental composition with oxygen comprising the remainder: C, 51.73; H, 4.69; N, 5.94; Cl, 6.02.
The ultraviolet absorption maximum of antibiotic A-4696 factor C₃ hydrochloride in water is at 280 nm with an
of 47.9.
The infrared absorption spectrum of antibiotic A-4696 factor C₃ hydrochloride in KBr is shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings. The observed distinguishable absorption maxima over the range of 4000-700 cm^-1 are as follows: 3378 broad, 2925, 1728, 1689, 1658, 1637, 1616, 1589, 1579, 1573, 1546, 1536, 1529, 1523, 1503, 1489, 1474, 1457, 1426, 1421, 1397, 1387, 1286, 1231, 1206, 1121, 1075, 1062, 1028, 1C12, 987, 965, 949, 878, 840, 816, 769, 708 cm^-1.
Antibiotic A-4696 factor E₁, as the hydrochloride salt, is a white crystalline compound which is soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in solvents such as ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and the like. It is stable in aqueous solution over a pH range of about 4 to about 9 at temperatures up to about 27°C.
Microanalysis of antibiotic A-4696 factor E₁ hydrochloride shows the following approximate elemental composition with oxygen comprising the remainder:

C 50.71; H 4.70; N 9.01; Cl 1.84.

The ultraviolet absorption maximum of antibiotic A-4696 factor E₁ hydrochloride in water is at 279 nm with an
of 39.9.
The infrared absorption spectrum of antibiotic A-4696 factor E₁ hydrochloride in KBr is shown in Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings. The observed distinguishable absorption maxima over the range of 4000-700cm^-1 are as follows: 3394 broad, 2933, 1657, 1636, 1610, 1589, 1538, 1511, 1505, 1453, 1424, 1393, 1369, 1328, 1320, 1291, 1232, 1212, 1178, 1120, 1075, 1061, 1031, 1018, 986, 973, 904, 878, 847, 813, 770, 752, 738, 7₁₄ cm^-1.
The antibiotic activity of antibiotic A-4696 factor B₁, B₂, B₃₁ C_1a, C₃, or E₁ hydrochloride has been established as being substantially the same as that exhibited by antibiotic A-4696 (disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,115,552) against Bacillus subtilis.
By employing methods known in the art, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of antibiotic A-4696 factors B₁, B₂, B₃, C_1a, C₃, and E₁ can be prepared with mineral acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfonic, phosphoric, and the like. The antibiotic salts of such acids can be prepared, for example, by acidifying a solution of the antibiotic free-base with the desired acid and then precipitating the salt by introducing acetone to the solution. The salts can likewise be prepared in certain instances by ion exchange on an ion exchange column. Other known methods for the preparation of antibiotic salts can also be employed.
The novel antibiotic A-4696 factors have an inhibiting action on the growth of many microbial organisms which are pathogenic to man, animals and plants, and are therefore useful in suppressing the growth of such organisms. The levels at which antibiotic A-4696 factors B₁, B₂, B₃, C_la, C3, and E1 as hydrochlorides show inhibition against the growth of illustrative organisms are set forth numerically in Tables 1 and 2 below. The inhibition levels were determined by the agar-dilution test and are stated in terms of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), microgram(s) per milliliter (mcg./ml.).
In the agar-dilution test the test organism is streaked or implanted on agar plates containing various concentrations of antibiotic A-4696 factor hydrochlorides in the agar. The test plates are incubated at 37°C. for 48 hours, and the MIC is determined as the plate at the lowest concentration of the antibiotic where growth of the test organism is inhibited.
The results are as follows:
Antibiotic A-4696 factors B₁, B₂, B₃, C_1a, C3, and E₁ hydrochlorides, as seen from the above data, are effective antibacterial and antimicrobial agents which are useful for combating pathogenic microorganisms generally. In addition, the incorporation of antibiotic A-4696 factor B_1, B_2' B₃, C_1a, C₃, or E_l or the acid addition salts thereof, into an appropriate toothpaste, gel, powder, or the like, or a suitable mouthwash, or other oral hygiene preparation, can provide an effective method for inhibiting the development of dental caries and periodontal disease which are associated with bacterial action. Alternatively, a solution of one or more antibiotic A-4696 factors or an acid addition salt thereof at an appropriate concentration, can be applied to the surface of the gums and teeth with a suitable swab.
Antibiotic A-4696 factors ^B ₁, ^B _2' ^B _3' ^C _la' C₃, and E₁ also show growth promotant activity and accelerate the growth rate and increase feed efficiency in poultry, swine, sheep, and beef cattle. For example, the daily ingestion by poultry and swine of one or more antibiotics of the present invention in an amount of about 0.5 mg. to about 25 mg./kg. of body weight, results in faster growth and greater feed efficiency than that registered by animals fed the same basal ration without the active agent. The term "basal ration" refers to the total feed intake of the animal and consists of the various feedstuffs, concentrates, supplements, minerals, vitamins or medicated premixes, roughages, and the like containing the dietary requirements of the animal. Typical basal rations for poultry and swine are found in U.S. Patent 4,115,552.
In an important embodiment of the present invention, antibiotic A-4696 factor B_l, B₂, B₃, C_1a, C3, or E₁, or a suitable derivative or mixture thereof, is administered orally in a suitable feed in an amount of about 2 to 200 grams per ton of total feed to provide for increased feed efficiency and growth promotion activity. The addition of the active antibiotic A-4696 factors of this invention to animal feed is preferably accomplished by preparing an appropriate feed premix (such as, for example, is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,115,552) containing about 1 to 200 grams of antibiotic A^-4696 factor B₁, ^B ₂' B₃, C_1a, C₃, or E₁, or a suitable derivative or mixture therof, per kilogram of premix. The completed premix is then incorporated into the final ration. Alternatively, an intermediate concentrate or feed supplement containing the active agent can be blended into the feed.
While the novel antibiotic A-4696 factors B₁, B_2' B₃, C_1a, C₃, and E₁ are useful in several different ways, they are particularly effective as antibiotics. Substances which exhibit this type of activity are always in demand for the treatment of microbially related health problems generally.
The novel antibiotic factors of this invention are isolated from antibiotic A-4696, the latter being produced by culturing one of several strains of Actinoplanes under aerobic conditions in a suitable culture medium until the culture medium contains substantial antibiotic activity. The antibiotic factors can be recovered by employing various appropriate isolation and purification procedures.
The microorganism used for the production of antibiotic A-4696 has been identified as a strain of Actinoplanes missouriensis of the family Actinoplanaceae. The Actinoplanaceae are a family of microorganisms of the order Actinomycetales, having been first described by Dr. John N. Couch, Jour. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc., 65, 315-318 (1949); and 66, 87-92 (1950); Trans. New York Acad. Sci., 16, 315-318 (1954); Jour. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc., 71, 148-155 and 269 (1955); Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 7th Edition, 825-829 (1957); and Jour. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc., 79, 53-70 (1963).
Biologically pure cultures of the Actinoplanes missouriensis strains useful for the production of antibiotic A-4696 for subsequent isolation of antibiotic A-4696 factors B₁, B₂, B_3' C_1a, C3, and ^E ₁ have been deposited and made part of the stock culture collection of the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Maryland, from which they are available to the public without restriction under the numbers ATCC 31680, ATCC 31682, and ATCC 31683. Strain ATCC 31682 is useful for production of antibiotic A-4696 for subsequent isolation of antibiotic A-4696 factors B1 and C_1a; strain ATCC 31680 for isolation of antibiotic A-4696 factors 3₂ and C₃; and strain ATCC 31683 for isolation of antibiotic A-4696 factors B₃ and E₁.
Actinoplanes misseuriensis strains ATCC 31580, ATCC 31682, and ATCC 31683 are characterized by the physical and cultural properties set forth in the following paragraphs. Deposits of all three of these strains were made in the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Maryland, U.S.A., on 26th August-1980 whence they are available to the public.
The three strains are derived by a series of mutations from ATCC 23342 which was previously disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,115,552. The present strains produce a similar substrate or mycelium and their morphology is substantially indistinguishable from that of the parental strain. Neither aerial, secondary mycelia, nor sporangia are observed and moreover, techniques such as growth on pollen grains, likewise fails to yield any sporangia.
The main differences between the present strains are the cultural characteristics, specifically the pigmentation of the primary mycelia. Strain ATCC 31680 has an orange colored mycelium ranging from moderate to brownish orange to strong orange depending upon the medium. Strains ATCC 31682 and ATCC 31683 have no such distinctive color and show mycelia which are yellowish gray.
The methods used for the taxonomic studies of strains ATCC 31680, ATCC 31682, and ATCC 31683 are well known to those skilled in the art and in large part are methods recommended for the International Streptomyces Project (ISP), described by Shirling and Gottlieb, 1966, Intern. J. of Systematic Bacteriol. 16(3):313-340. Enzyme assays were carried out according to the methods of Blazevic and Ederer, 1975, Principles of Biochemical Tests in Diagnostic Microbiology, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, and color names, abbreviations, and numbers were assigned using the ISCC-NBS method of Kelly and Judd, 1976, The ISCC-NBS Centroid Color Charts Standard Sample No. 2106, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards, Washington D.C. Lysozyme resistance and the decomposition of casein, esculin, hypoxanthine, tyrosine, and xanthine were measured using the procedure of Berg, 1973, Appl. Microbiol. 25:665-681. Carbon utilization studies were also completed and are scored as follows:

++ = equal to or > glucose control; positive utilization
+ = < glucose control, > no carbon control; positive utilization
(+) = growth questionable; doubtful utilization - = no growth; negative utilization

Accordingly a taxonomic description, including both the cultural and physiological characteristics, of the Actinoplanes strains of the present invention is given in tabular form below.
General Culture And Physiological Characteristics Of Actinoplanes Strain ATCC 31680
Carbon utilization on ISP medium no. 9^* with:
Antibiotic sensitivity:
Carbon utilization on
ISP medium no. 9^* with:
Antibiotic sensitivity:
Carbon utilization on
ISP medium no. 9^* with:
As previously noted, Actinoplanes missouriensis strains ATCC 31680, ATCC 31682, and ATCC 31683 can be grown in a culture medium to produce antibiotic A-4696 for subsequent isolation of the antibiotic A-4696 factors. The culture medium can be any one of a number of different media. However for economy in production, maximum yield, and ease of isolation of the antibiotic, certain culture media are preferred. Thus, for example, starch is one of the preferred sources of carbohydrate, and yeast is one of the preferred nitrogen sources. Other carbohydrate sources which can be used include molasses, glucose, dextrin, glycerol, and the like. Nitrogen sources also include amino acid mixtures, peptones, and the like.
Nutrient inorganic salts to be incorporated in the culture medium can include the customary salts capable of yielding sodium, potassium, ammonia, calcium, phosphate, chloride, sulfate, and like ions. Additionally, sources of growth factors, such as distillers' solubles and yeast extracts, can be included with beneficial effect on the production of antibiotic A-4696 factors.
As is necessary for the growth and development of other microorganisms, essential trace elements should also be included in the culture medium for growing the Actinoplanes strains employed in this invention. Such trace elements are commonly supplied as impurities incidental to the addition of the other constituents of the medium.
The organisms used to produce antibiotic A-4696 for subsequent isolation of antibiotic A-4696 factors B₁, ^B ₂, B₃, C_1a, C3' and E₁ can be grown over a relatively wide pH range. However it is desirable to culture the organisms in a medium with a pH between about 6.5 and 7.0. As with other Actinomycetes, the pH of the growing medium gradually changes during the growth period, the pH at the end of the fermentation period usually ranging from about 6.5 to 7.5.
Submerged aerobic cultural conditions are preferred for the production of the antibiotic A-4696 factors. Relatively small amounts of the antibiotics can be produced by shake flask culture; however, for the preparation of large amounts, submerged aerobic culture in sterile tanks is preferred. The culture medium in the sterile tank can be inoculated with a mycelial fragment suspension.
Accordingly, it is desirable to produce a vegetative inoculum of the organism by inoculating a relatively small quantity of culture medium with the mycelial fragments of the organism, and when a young active vegetative inoculum is obtained, to aseptically transfer it to the large tank. The medium in which the vegetative inoculum is grown can be the same as that utilized for large scale production of the antibiotic A-4696 factors, although other media can be employed.
The antibiotic A-4696 factor producing Actinoplanes missouriensis strains ATCC 31680, ATCC 31682, and ATCC 31683, grow at temperatures between 20° and 40°C. The largest amounts of A-4696 factors appear to be produced at a temperature of about 30°C.
Sterile air is blown through the culture medium in the submerged aerobic culture process. The volume of air sparged into the culture medium varies from about 0.1 to about 1.0 volume of air per minute per volume of culture medium. The most efficient growth and antibiotic production are achieved when the volume of air is at least 1/2 volume of air per minute per volume of culture medium.
The rate of production of antibiotic A-4696 factors and the concentration of antibiotic activity in the culture medium can be followed during the growth period by testing samples of the fermentation broth for antibiotic activity against organisms known to be susceptible to the antibiotic. One such assay organism useful to illustrate the present invention is Bacillus subtilis. The bioassay can be carried out by the standard cup-plate methods, or by the paper disc assay on agar plates.
Generally, maximum production of the antibiotic occurs within about 4 to 6 days in shake flasks or submerged aerobic culture fermentations.
Antibiotic A-4696 for subsequent isolation of antibiotic A-4696 factors B₁, B₂, B_3' C_1a, C₃, and ^E _l can be isolated from the culture medium and separated from other substances which may be present by adsorptive and extractive techniques. Adsorptive techniques are preferred because such procedures avoid the use of large volumes of solvents required in extraction processes.
Since the procedures for exemplifying the present invention are substantially the same when using strains ATCC 31680 (for isolation of antibiotic A-4696 factors B₂and C₃), ATCC 31682 (for isolation of antibiotic A-4696 factors B₁ and C_1a), and ATCC 31683 (for isolation of antibiotic A-4696 factors B₃ and E₁), the use of only ATCC 31682 is presented here for simplicity. Certain procedural differences relating to the production medium and the use of strain ATCC 31683 are also presented in Example 1 where appropriate. Accordingly this invention is exemplified by the following examples:

Example 1

A. Shake Flask Fermentation

Mycelial fragments of Actinoplanes missouriensis, illustrated here with strain ATCC 31682 for simplicity, were inoculated on a nutrient agar slant having the following composition:
The slant inoculated with ATCC 31682 was then incubated for 6 days at 30°C. The culture does not sporulate so it is necessary to macerate the mycelial mat with a sterile pipette. The macerated mature culture was covered with sterile distilled water and scraped carefully with the pipette or a sterile rod to obtain a mycelial suspension.
The suspension thus obtained was used to inoculate 100 ml. of a sterile vegetative medium having the following composition:
The inoculated vegetative medium was grown for 48 hours at 30°C. on a rotary shaker operating at 250 rpm. Ten ml. of the inoculated vegetative medium was inoculated into 100 ml. of a sterile "bump" medium of the following composition.
The inoculated "bump" medium was incubated for 24 hours at 30°C. with constant shaking on a rotary shaker operating at 250 rpm.
Four-tenths ml. of the "bump" medium was inoculated into 100 ml. portions of a production medium of the composition shown below contained in 500 ml. Erlenmeyer flasks, and sterilized at 121°C. for 30 minutes.
The production fermentation was shaken for about 96 hours at a temperature of 30°C. on a rotary shaker operating at 250 rpm. The pH at the end of the fermentation cycle was about 8.0.
For production of antibiotic A-4696 factors B₃ and E₁, strain ATCC 31683 was used to prepare the "bump" medium according to the teaching disclosed above. Four-tenths ml. of the strain ATCC 31683 "bump" medium was inoculated into 100 ml. portions of a production medium of the composition shown below contained in 500 ml. Erienmeyer flasks, and sterilized at 121°C. for 30 minutes.
The production fermentation was shaken for about 96 hours at a temperature of 30°C. on a rotary shaker operating at 250 rpm. The pH at the end of the fermentation cycle was about 8.0.

B. 40-liter tank fermentation

The preparation of the inoculum proceeded through the incubation of the "bump" medium detailed under section A, above. Twenty-five liters of a production medium as outlined above, was sterilized by autoclaving at 121°C. for 30 minutes and charged into a 40 1. capacity fermentation tank. One-hundred ml. of "bump" medium was inoculated into the sterile production medium. The inoculated production medium was allowed to ferment for 4 days at 30°C. The fermentation was aerated with sterile air in an amount of about one-half volume of air per volume of culture medium per minute. The fermenting production medium was agitated with a mixer utilizing an impeller to insure adequate mixing of air with the medium. The pH of the culture medium gradually increased from an initial level cf about 6.5 to about 8.0 as the fermentation proceeded.

C. Isolation of Antibiotic A-4696.

Fermentation broth (3800 1.) prepared according to the above procedure was filtered after the addition of 5% (wt/vol) filter aid (Celite 545). The filter cake was resuspended in deionized water (3600 1.) and the pH of the aqueous suspension was adjusted to pH 10.5 using aqueous sodium hydroxide. The suspended solids were separated by filtration and washed with water. The filtrate and the washings were combined and the resulting solution was acidified with 20% (wt/vol) aqueous sulfuric acid to pH 4.5. The acidic solution was clarified by filtration using 1% filter aid (Celite 545). The clear solution was passed through a column (1.8 x 5 ft.) containing 350 1. of Amberlite IR-116 (Na+ form) and the column was washed with deionized water (1200 1.). The IR-116 resin was removed from the column and eluted batchwise at pH 10.5 with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (total 1000 liters). The resin eluate was neutralized (pH 7) with 20% (wt/vol) aqueous sulfuric acid, then washed with three portions of deionized water (150 liters total). The water washes were neutralized and combined with the neutralized eluate. The resulting solution was concentrated and subsequently freeze dried. The preparation of the crude complex varied in color from tan to dark brown.

D. Removal of Salts from Crude Antibiotic A-4696.

The crude complex (1.0 kg) was slowly added with vigorous stirring to deionized water (1.5 liters). The resulting suspension was stirred for twenty minutes and was subsequently neutralized (pH 7) using a 10% aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution. The insoluble antibiotic A-4696 complex was separated by vacuum filtration, washed with deionized water, and freeze dried. The dried, desalted, complex was recovered in approximately 80% yield (based on bioactivity).

E. Purification of Desalted Antibiotic A-4696.

The dried, desalted complex (300 g.) was suspended in deionized water (2 liters), and the pH of the suspension was adjusted to pH 2.7 by addition of 3N aqueous hydrochloric acid. The acidified solution was centrifuged for 40 minutes at 2500 rpm. The supernatant was decanted and loaded on a column (8 x 85 cm) containing 6 liters of decolorizing resin (Duolite S761). The activity was eluted with deionized water at a flow rate of 30 ml/min. The elution was monitored by thin layer chromatography. The antibiotic A-4696-containing effluent was concentrated (3 mm., 35°C.) to a volume of 3 liters and freeze dried. The decolorized complex was recovered as a white-to-tan solid in approximately 70% yield (based on bioactivity).

F. Isolation of Antibiotic A-4696 Factors B₁, B₂, B₃, C_1a, C₃, and E1Hydrochloride Salts

The dried, decolorized antibiotic A-4696 complex (10 g.) was dissolved in 100 ml. of deionized water. The resulting aqueous solution was filtered and loaded on a chromatography column (5 x 100 cm.) containing 2 liters of polyamide (Machery & Nagel SC6). The column was eluted with deionized water and 200-300 fractions (25 ml. each) were collected. The elution was monitored by UV-activity and by thin layer chromatography. Fractions were combined according to TLC identity and freeze dried. For some of the separations it was necessary to double the column length (200 cm.) by using two of the polyamide columns in line. Additional purification was achieved by repeated chromatography.
The procedures outlined in A-F above are followed using strain ATCC 31682, when isolation of antibiotic A-4696 factors B1 and C_la is desired, using strain ATCC 31680 when isolation of A-4696 factors B₂ and C₃ is desired, and using strain ATCC 31683 when isolation of antibiotic A-4696 factors B₃ and E₁ is desired. While other Actinoplanes strains may be used for isolation of the above aforementioned factors, the strains disclosed are preferred for isolation of the antibiotic A-4696 factors claimed herein.
An alternative method for isolating antibiotic A-4696 factors B₁, B₂, B_3' C_1a, C₃, and ^E ₁ as hydrochloride salts using a single Actinoplanes missouriensis strain is as follows:

The dried, decolorized antibiotic A-4696 complex (200 mg. prepared from Strain 31683 according to the teaching of Example 1, A-E above) was dissolved in about 2 ml. distilled water. The resulting aqueous solution was filtered and separated by column chromatography using reversed phase adsorbents such as, for example, _Li Chroprep^R RP-18^* as the stationary phase and aqueous acetonitrile gradients containing triethylamine phosphate as the mobile phase. Although it is understood that those skilled in the art will vary the acetonitrile concentration gradient depending upon the composition of a particular fermentation, a preferred concentration gradient is 10-40%. The column effluent was monitored by UV-activity and fractions containing the individual factors were collected. The acetonitrile was removed by evaporation under high vacuum and the resulting aqueous solutions were freeze dried. The freeze dried chromatography fractions were then redissolved in distilled water, adsorbed on reversed phase adsorbents such as, for example, Sep Pak^R C18 cartridges ^** and eluted with 50% aqueous methanol. The aqueous solutions containing the individual antibiotic A-4696 factors were evaporated to dryness and the purified antibiotic A-4696 factors were then recovered as dry amorphous solids.

^*Available from E. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany ^**Available from Waters Associates Inc., Milford, Massachusetts

Example 2

Preparation of Antibiotic A-4696 factors B1, B₂, B_3' C_1a, ^C ₃, and E₁ as Sulfate Salts

Antibiotic A-4696 (300 g. prepared according to the teaching of Example 1, A-D) was suspended in deionized water (2 liters), and the pH of the suspension was adjusted to pH 2.7 by addition of 3N aqueous sulfuric acid. The acidified solution was centrifuged for 40 minutes at 2500 rpm. The supernatant was decanted and loaded on a column (8 x 85 cm) containing 6 liters of decolorizing resin (Duolite S761). The activity was eluted with deionized water at a flow rate of 30 ml./min. The elution was monitored by thin layer chromatography. The antibiotic A-4696-containing effluent was concentrated (3 mm., 35°C.) to a volume of 3 liters and freeze dried. The decolorized complex was recovered as a white-to-tan solid in approximately 70% yield (based on bioactivity). The individual A-4696 factors B₁, B_2' B₃, C_1a, C₃, and E₁ sulfates were isolated according to the teaching of Example 1, F.

Claims

1. An antibiotic A-4696 complex when produced by submerged aerobic cultivation of Actinoplanes missouriensis strain ATCC 31680, ATCC 31682 or ATCC 31683.

2. Antibiotic A-4696 factor B₁, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white, crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, alipatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 51.51 percent carbon, 5.25 percent hydrogen, 4.88 percent nitrogen, 4.62 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an approximate theoretical molecular weight of 1954; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 280 nm with an

of 42.8; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorption spectrum when determined in KBr: 3380 broad, 2930, 1731, 1693, 1654, 1637, 1615, 1588, 1577, 1521, 1503, 1488, 1423, 1321, 1289, 1229, 1210, 1178, 1154, 1121, 1076, 1060, 1030, 1012, 982, 880, 842, 831, and 810 cm^-1.

3. Antibiotic A-4696 factor B₂, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white, crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 51.96 percent carbon, 4.67 percent hydrogen, 5.72 percent nitrogen, 5.88 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an approximate theoretical molecular weight of 1808; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 280 nm with an

of 44.7; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorption spectrum when determined in KBr; 3409 broad, 2934, 1730, 1658, 1614, 1588, 1548, 1504, 1498, 1490, 1426, 1290, 1231, 1210, 1179, 1121, 1061, 1031, 1017, 987, 903, 884, and 818 cm^-1.

4. Antibiotic A-4696 factor B₃, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white, crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 51.84 percent carbon, 4.74 percent hydrogen, 5.83 percent nitrogen, 5.57 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an approximate theoretical molecular weight of 1808; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 280 nm with an

of 46.3; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorption spectrum when determined in KBr: 3394 broad, 2938, 1733, 1697, 1675, 1656, 1638, 1614, 1591, 1515, 1504, 1489, 1427, 1359, 1291, 1228, 1209, 1180, 1120, 1072, 1051, 1018, 985, 903, 882, 846, and 816 cm^-1.

5. Antibiotic A-4696 factor C_1a, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white, crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 53.05 percent carbon, 4.74 percent hydrogen, 5.83 percent nitrogen, 5.39 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an approximate theoretical molecular weight of 1792; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 279 nm with an

of 47.9; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorption spectrum when determined in KBr; 3380 broad, 2931, 1734, 1650, 1616, 1591, 1505, 1491, 1427, 1359, 1290, 1228, 1213, 1177, 1123, 1072, 1061, 1032, 1017, 987, 903, 832, 814, and 715 cm

6. Antibiotic A-4696 factor C₃, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white, crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 51.73 percent carbon, 4.69 percent hydrogen, 5.94 percent nitrogen, 6.02 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 280 nm with an

of 47.9; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorption spectrum determined in KBr; 3378 broad, 2925, 1728, 1689, 1658, 1637, 1616, 1589, .l579, 1573, 1546, 1536, 1529, 1523, 1503, 1489, 1474, 1457, 1426, 1421, 1397, 1387, 1286, 1231, 12Q6, 1121, 1075, 1062, 1028, 1012, 987, 965, 949, 878, 840, 816, 769, 708 cm^-1.

7. Antibiotic A-4696 factor E₁, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white, crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 50.71 percent carbon, 4.70 percent hydrogen, 9.01 percent nitrogen, 1.84 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 279 nm with an

of 39.9; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorption spectrum when determined in KBr: 3394 broad, 2933, 1657, 1636, 1610, 1589, 1538, 1511, 1505, 1453, 1424, 1393, 1369, 1328, 1320, 1291, 1232, 1212, 1178, 1120, 1075, 1061, 1031, 1018, 986, 973, 904, 878, 847, 813, 770, 752, 738, and 714 cm^-1.

8. A process for the preparation of antibiotic A-4696 complex which comprises cultivating Actinoplanes missouriensis strain ATCC 31680, ATCC 31682 or ATCC 31683 in a culture medium containing assimilable sources of carbohydrate, nitrogen and inorganic salts under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions until a substantial amount of antibiotic activity is produced.

9. The process of claim 8 which includes the additional step of isolating the A-4696 complex from the culture medium.

10. The process of claim 9 wherein A-4696 factors B₂ and C₃ are isolated from the A-4696 complex produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31680.

11. The process of claim 9 wherein A-4696 factors B₁ and C_1a are isolated from the A-4696 complex produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31682.

12. The process of claim 9 wherein A-4696 factors B₃ and E₁ are isolated from the A-4696 complex produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31683.

13. The process of claim 9 wherein A-4696 factors B₁, B₂, B₃, C_1a, C₃ and E₁ are isolated from the A-4696 complex produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31683.

14. Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31680.

15. A culture medium containing Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31680 and assimiliable sources of carbon, nitrogen and inorganic salts.

16. Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31682.

17. A culture medium containing Actinoplanes missouriensis A_TCC 31682 and assimiliable sources of carbon, nitrogen and inorganic salts.

18. Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31683.

19. A culture medium containing Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31683 and assimiliable sources of carbon, nitrogen and inorganic salts.

20. A method for increasing the feed utilization efficiency in ruminant animals having a developed rumen which comprises orally administering to the ruminant animals a growth promotant amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.

21. A feed for ruminant animals which comprises as active ingredient a growth promotant amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.

22. A feed premix for ruminant animals which contains from about 1.0 percent to about 90.0 percent of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.

23. A feed supplement for ruminant animals which contains a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 at a concentration by weight of about 0.01 percent to about 1.0 percent. `v

24. A method of promoting the growth of chickens which comprises administering to the chickens a growth promotant amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein a growth promotant amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 is incorporated in the chicken's diet.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein a growth promotant amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as claimed is any one of claims 1 to 7 is incorporated into the chicken's drinking water.

27. An A-4696 complex as described in claim 1 for use as an antibiotic.

28. An A-4696 complex as described in claim 1 for use as a growth promotant.

29. An A-4696 factor B_1' B_2' B₃, C_1a, C₃ and/or E₁ for use as an antibiotic.

30. An A-4696 factor B₁, B₂, ^B _3' C_1a, ^C ₃ and/or E₁for use as a growth promotant.

31. A method for promoting growth in an animal which comprises administering a compound according to any of claims 1 to 7 or a pharmaceutically- acceptable acid addition salt thereof.

1. A process for the preparation of antibiotic A-4696 complex which comprises cultivating Actinoplanes missouriensis strain ATCC 31680, ATCC 31682 or ATCC 31683 in a culture medium containing assimilable sources of carbohydrate, nitrogen and inorganic salts under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions until a substantial amount of antibiotic activity is produced.

2. The process of claim 1 which includes the additional step of isolating the A-4696 complex from the culture medium.

3. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein antibiotic A-4696 factor B_l, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white, crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, alipatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 51.51 percent carbon, 5.25 percent hydrogen, 4.88 percent nitrogen, 4.62 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an approximate theoretical molecular weight of 1954; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 280 nm with an

of 42.8; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorption spectrum when determined in KBr: 3380 broad, 2930, 1731, 1693, 1654, 1637, 1615, 1588, 1577, 1521, 1503, 1488, 1423, 1321, 1289, 1229, 1210, 1178, 1154, 1121, 1076, 1060, 1030, 1012, 982, 880, 842, 831, and 810 cm^-1 is isolated from the A-4696 complex produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31682 or ATCC 31683.

4. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein antibiotic A-4696 factor B₂, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white, crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 51.96 percent carbon, 4.67 percent hydrogen, 5.72 percent nitrogen, 5.88 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an approximate theoretical molecular weight of 1808; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 280 nm with an

of 44.7; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorption spectrum when determined in KBr; 3409 broad, 2934, 1730, 1658, 1614, 1588, 1548, 1504, 1498, 1490, 1426, 1290, 1231, 1210, 1179, 1121, 1061, 1031, 1017, 987, 903, 884, and 818 cm^-1 is isolated from the A-4696 complex produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31680 or ATCC 31683.

5. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein antibiotic A-4696 factor B₃, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white, crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 51.84 percent carbon, 4.74 percent hydrogen, 5.83 percent nitrogen, 5.57 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an approximate theoretical molecular weight of 1808; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 280 nm with an

of 46.3; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorption spectrum when determined in KBr: 3394 broad, 2938, 1733, 1697, 1675, 1656, 1638, 1614, 1591, 1515, 1504, 1489, 1427, 1359, 1291, 1228, 1209, 1180, 1120, 1072, 1051, 1018, 985, 903, 882, 846, and 816 cm ¹ is isolated from the A-4696 complex produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31683.

6. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein antibiotic A-4696 factor C_la, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white,.crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 53.05 percent carbon, 4.74 percent hydrogen, 5.83 percent nitrogen, 5.39 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an approximate theoretical molecular weight of 1792; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 279 nm with an

of 47.9; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorption spectrum when determined in KBr; 3380 broad, 2931, 1734, 1650, 1616, 1591, 1505, 1491, 1427, 1359, 1290, 1228, 1213, 1177, 1123, 1072, 1061, 1032, 1017, 987, 903, 832, 814, and 715 cm^-1 is isolated from the A-4696 complex produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31682 or ATCC 31683.

7. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein antibiotic A-4696 factor C₃, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white, crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 51.73 percent carbon, 4.69 percent hydrogen, 5.94 percent nitrogen, 6.02 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 280 nm with an

of 47.9; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorption spectrum determined in KBr; 3378 broad, 2925, 1728, 1689, 1658, 1637, 1616, 1589, 1579, 1573, 1546, 1536, 1529, 1523, 1503, 1489, 1474, 1457, 1426, 1421, 1397, 1387, 1286, 1231, 1206, 1121, 1075, 1062, 1028, 1012, 987, 965, 949, 878, 840, 816, 769, 708 cm^-1 is isolated from the A-4696 complex produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31680 or ATCC 31683.

8. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein antibiotic A-4696 factor E₁, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, which factor in the form of its hydrochloride salt is a white, crystalline substance soluble in water and hydroxylic and polar solvents, and insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, acetone, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons; has the approximate composition of 50.71 percent carbon, 4.70 percent hydrogen, 9.01 percent nitrogen, 1.84 percent chlorine, and oxygen comprising the remainder; has an ultraviolet absorption maximum in water at 279 nm with an

of 39.9; and has the following distinguishable bands in its infrared absorp-. tion spectrum when determined in KBr: 3394 broad, 2933, 1657, 1636, 1610, 1589, 1538, 1511, 1505, 1453, 1424, 1393, 1369, 1328, 1320, 1291, 1232, 1212, 1178, 1120, 1075, 1061, 1031, 1018, 986, 973, 904, 878, 847, 813, 770, 752, 738, and 714 cm^-1 is isolated from the A-4696 complex produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31683.

9. Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31680.

10. A culture medium containing Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31680 and assimiliable sources of carbon, nitrogen and inorganic salts.

11. Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31682.

12. A culture medium containing Actinoplanes missouriensis _ATCC 31682 and assimiliable sources of carbon, nitrogen and inorganic salts.

13. Actinoplanes missouriensis ATCC 31683.

14. A culture medium containing Actinoplanes missouriensis _ATC_C 31683 and assimiliable sources of carbon, nitrogen and inorganic salts.

15. A method for increasing the feed utilization efficiency in ruminant animals having a developed rumen which comprises orally administering to the ruminant animals a growth promotant amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, prepared according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

16. A feed for ruminant animals which comprises as active ingredient a growth promotant amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, prepared according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

17. A method of promoting the growth of chickens which comprises administering to the chickens a growth promotant amount of a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, prepared according to any one of claims 1 to 8.